by Brandon Geurts
PlayStation 3: Overview
The PlayStation 3 has been having a rough first year. The Sony-made console suffered from a host of problems on launch day such as a wallet-breaking price tag ($499 for the now-discontinued 20 GB model and $599 for the 60 GB model with Wi-Fi capabilities and other features), lack of rumble, drought of standout launch titles (save for Insomniac’s excellent Resistance: Fall of Man), hardware shortages, and marketing problems. As a result, the Wii and Xbox 360 stole Sony’s thunder during the holiday season. It looked as if Sony had suddenly gone from hero to zero.
The company has shown that it is attempting to correct it’s errors, as evident in the rumored rumble-enabled SIXAXIS and recent price drop of the 60 GB to $500. This E3 will be a crucial one to the PlayStation 3’s success. A great showing this year could turn the tide of the console wars entirely and put Sony back on the map. On the other hand, a horrible showing could put another nail in the company’s coffin. Based on games like Lair, Metal Gear Solid 4, Ratchet and Clank Future, and Final Fantasy XIII, however, the chance for another showing like in 2006 seems quite unlikely.
Playstation Portable: Overview
Sony’s PlayStation Portable has been taking a beating by Nintendo’s double-screened oddity ever since it launched two years ago. Unlike the DS, which hosts a wide variety of original ideas, developers have, for the most part, spent the past two years cramming successful console games onto Sony’s handheld and calling it a day.
Thankfully, as evident in games such as God of War: Chains of Olympus, Crush, Dungeons and Dragons: Tactics, Dead Head Fred, and Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice, developers have become more willing to create games suited to the PSP’s needs and strengths. If more of those types of games start appearing, things will begin to turn around for Sony’s beleaguered handheld
Playstation 2: Overview
The PlayStation 2’s performance at E3 appears to be rather solid, if rather conventional. The system pretty much reached it’s swan song this spring with the triple whammy of God of War II, Odin Sphere, and Tomb Raider Anniversary. Other than the occasional game like Guitar Hero Encore: Rockin’ the 80s and Hot Shots Tennis, the console’s lineup is starting to fade into a series of licensed games, budget-priced Deer Hunting games, and ports of titles you can get in better shape on next-gen consoles.
After seven years at the top, the PS2 is finally starting to lose its luster. It’s only a matter of time before the PlayStation 2 joins the Xbox and GameCube as an antiquated has-been console.
Predictions: PlayStation 3
Expect Sony to pull a few tricks up it’s sleeve this year and announce some much-needed new
features and exclusives. For example, look for Sony to announce a 
new Sixaxis controller that supports rumble and possibly a whole new feature for the system. Metal Gear Solid 4 (pictured) will most likely get a big reveal this E3, as will the latest installment in the Killzone franchise. Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (pictured) will get a big push considering how Insomniac saved the launch lineup. Expect more new titles for the Playstation Store. UPDATE: USA Today has managed to get the first in-game screen shot from Killzone, shown below.
Predictions: PSP
Expect the rumored PSP store to be revealed in all it’s splendor this E3. Don’t expect any radical changes like the rumored PSP redesign. Do expect more exclusives built from the ground up for the PSP, such as God of War: Chains of Olympus . As well, a connectivity system between the PSP and the PS3 will probably be shown. Expect to see new games that take advantage of this system.
Predictions: PlayStation 2
Don’t expect any truly groundbreaking additions to the PS2 this year. The system’s pretty much dead and buried as far as exclusives go once Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80's comes out.
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